Red flags?

[andrade1982]

I just put an expensive item to sell, the bidding winner only has 1  transaction and messaged me if I could ship the item to a “Genera Delivery” address not listed in his account because eBay won’t let him use it during checkout. What are your thought on this one? 

[soh.maryl]

What's a "Geneva Delivery Address"? Geneva, Switzerland? 

You only ship to the United States.

That "eBay won't let him use it during checkout" is somewhat weird.

If a buyer wants his item shipped to a different address, all he has to do it is change it when making payment.

I believe we need a little more information.  

[andrade1982]

Sorry I meant “General Delivery” 

[nobody*s_perfect]

That would be a "Nope." Probably end up canceling based on either nonpayment or problem with buyer's address.

[hawkwind5454]

You kind of answered your own concerns... Yes, this is a [HUGE] red flag...There is a reason why eBay will not let him use a general delivery address.... and the fact that it is an item of value, is what a scammer is going to go for.   STAY AWAY 

[soh.maryl]

Is General Delivery no longer a valid address with the USPS? When we first moved to this area in the mid 1940's, that address could be used.  You just went up to the window at the post office and claimed your mail. So if someone, for some reason, does not want their mail coming to their home, they now have to rent a post office box?  

[hawkwind5454]

General delivery is kind of passe' these days; And you are correct, it was probably used in the first half of the 20th century to the greater extent. Still used in the 60's and 70's though, just not nearly as much.  The greater use of a forwarding address, kind of took its place. These days, there is little use for it. It's kind of a headache for the destination PO, and concrete proof of it ever reaching it's intended is next to impossible. 

[candd205]

Just no. There would be no way to prove delivery to the buyer. Just no.

[andrade1982]

So I have the right to cancel the sell if the buyer cannot provide a verified address during checkout right? 

[nobody*s_perfect]

If the buyer cannot provide an address that's acceptable to eBay, he won't be able to pay and thus you'll be able to cancel based on "nonpayment."

[andrade1982]

The buyer paid and provided a completely different address during checkout, In a completely different state, so I went ahead and shipped to the address provided through checkout, I still feel concerned about it 

[mtgraves7984]

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@andrade1982 wrote:

The buyer paid and provided a completely different address during checkout, In a completely different state, so I went ahead and shipped to the address provided through checkout, I still feel concerned about it 

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@andrade1982 

As long as you shipped to the address on the order, you'll be covered in an Item Not Received claim. Other issues are not a concern to you now. Relax...

[itsjustasprain]

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@andrade1982 wrote:

So I have the right to cancel the sell if the buyer cannot provide a verified address during checkout right? 

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The address gets verified by USPS when you go to print the label. Whats happening here is that the supposed buyer cannot even pay because Ebay wont accept his address.

General Delivery is a method for setting up a temporary collection address at your local post office. I think the limit on that is 30 days max. Recipient has to show ID to pick up their mail but otherwise I dont know if its really a process that works for Delivery confirmation. 

Besides all that - this is the buyers problem - not yours. If he cant get his payment to go through with the address to which he wants the package to be sent then ask if he wants to cancel instead. You give up seller protection by shipping to a different address that is not the one that came with the payment. 

I just saw your later post that the buyer managed to get an address to you through his Ebay payment so that should work out okay.

[muttlymob]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Is General Delivery no longer a valid address with the USPS? When we first moved to this area in the mid 1940's, that address could be used.  You just went up to the window at the post office and claimed your mail. So if someone, for some reason, does not want their mail coming to their home, they now have to rent a post office box?  

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Some post offices are still able to accept mail to General Delivery.  Some are not.  It is not used as much as in the past.  So yes, if a PO is not set up as General Delivery then renting a PO box may be the only option.